Knowledgeable about lever-actions? Marlin vs. Mossberg

Mossberg makes good pump shotguns in the 500 and 590 series.

For a lever gun in .30-30 Win., get a JM-stamped Marlin 336 or a pre-64 Winchester 94.

I am a big fan of Marlins, mostly older models. I also have a pre-64 Winchester 94. If I were going to buy a NEW lever gun, it would be a Mossberg. It handles more like the Winchester, with the top scope mounting option like the Marlin. The tang safety on the Mossberg is much better than the crossbolt on the Marlin IMO. All the Mossberg 464's I have handled had good metal and wood finishing, and the Walnut models have very decent quality wood on them.

The older (pre-2007) model Marlins are good quality, generally. Newer production guns from Marlin are hit/miss...check one out VERY carefully before purchase. They are getting better, based on what I have read, but I still see some questionable quality on the shelves (and I look often). If you find a good, new Marlin, they are as good as any...

Personally, I'd be looking for a used Marlin in the $300-$350 range if I needed a 30-30.

Can't comment on the Mossberg other than to say that all I have read/heard has been positive.

I have a Marlin and a Mossburg. Do be honest, it's hard to tell a difference. Both weigh about the same, look about the same, feel about the same. The Mossburg may be a bit more accurate, but the Marlin isn't any slouch. The reason I use the Marlin more than the Mossburg, is that the Mossburg is a commemorative model.

My Spring 2013 manufacture Mossberg 464 has good fit and finish, is reliable and accurate for a lever action. I put a low profile Skinner sight on it and have worked up accurate loads for 100, 150 and 170 grain bullets.

I'm relatively picky and prone to buyer's remorse but have never regretted the purchase.

There is nothing magical about a pre 2007 Marlin. Marlin production was not affected at all by the takeover until mid 2009. Even the 2009 guns made in the production cells are fine. They were at that point still made in North Haven by employees who still cared about Marlin. I have great 2009 336A. Nothing wrong with it at all and it is a definite notch above the current remlins.

dvdcrr said:

There is nothing magical about a pre 2007 Marlin. Marlin production was not affected at all by the takeover until mid 2009. Even the 2009 guns made in the production cells are fine. They were at that point still made in North Haven by employees who still cared about Marlin. I have great 2009 336A. Nothing wrong with it at all and it is a definite notch above the current remlins.

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I respectfully disagree. 2007 or older guarantees the gun was built by a gunsmith, not a production cell...and there is a difference. Granted, any JM stamped gun should be good quality...even many newer ones are. But your best odds are pre 2007.

The production cells did not begin until 2009. A 2008 is as good as a 2007. And a 2009 Marlin with issues is the exception not the rule. Mine is (I believe ) an early production cell gun. You cant tell it from any other JM. It was built by the same employees in the same plant. Many folks own fabulous 2009 JM Marlins. A former employee told me specifically regarding my rifle that in 2009. There were no QC issues, absolutely no sabotage, and that the JM emoloyees at that time still very much wanted the customer to open the box and find a great quality rifle. The North Haven plant closing was not made known to employees until 2010. That is the truth as I understand it.

I'm not familiar with the Mossberg, however if they are anything like there shotguns, they should be just fine. I am very familiar with the Marlins and as long as you can get the Ballard rifling I would say you should be just fine. The Micro rifling is ok if all you plan on shooting is jacketed bullets, however the lead bullets just don't seem to be near as accurate, at least in my experience. The receiver safety is a really simple fix at least it was a number of years ago, all you need to do is contact the guy in Wisconsin (don't have his name off hand) and have him send you a screw to replace the safety. The cost is minimal btw. If anybody wants the number of the guy that can replace the ugly safety on the Marlin just let me know and I'll do some research on it.

Incidentally it wasn't that hard to find it's: Clyde Ludwig P.O. Box 26156, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226-0156, phone 414-536-1101 after 6:30 PM CST. He gets $9.95 + $3.00 S&H, and it comes with instructions, very simple to assemble.

Look for a good used Texan model, 336T. It has a straight stock and a saddle ring. To me, it's the best of the 336s. All 336s are hard to beat. Solid and shoot straight. Takedown for cleaning is with only one screw.

If I were going to scope it I'd go with the Marlin.

If you're going to keep it scope free, get whichever one you prefer. I'd go with the Winchester in that case.

dvdcrr said:

The production cells did not begin until 2009. A 2008 is as good as a 2007. And a 2009 Marlin with issues is the exception not the rule. Mine is (I believe ) an early production cell gun. You cant tell it from any other JM. It was built by the same employees in the same plant. Many folks own fabulous 2009 JM Marlins. A former employee told me specifically regarding my rifle that in 2009. There were no QC issues, absolutely no sabotage, and that the JM emoloyees at that time still very much wanted the customer to open the box and find a great quality rifle. The North Haven plant closing was not made known to employees until 2010. That is the truth as I understand it.

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You are correct that cell manufacturing was fully implemented in 2009. However, the serial numbers on receivers denote year of manufacture *of the receiver* and not the finished product. There were large component inventory build-ups occurring in 07/08/09 as the manufacturing process was being changed (and ultimately relocated). There are guns out there stamped with a serial number indicating 2008 production that came off production cells (possibly even 2007 as well). To be relatively certain that you do not get an early production cell gun (if that is your choice, as it would be mine), you'd need to look for pre 2007.

I know for sure I really like my 2009 JM 336A. I would buy another like it. I put a Redfield scope on it , weaver base and Ironsighter rings for a very nice package. I immediately began banging steel plates at 200 with very little adjustment. I also owned a Remlin 336 to compare. The 2009 JM is a higher grade of product, though the Remlin was a good shooter.

If you run across a glenfield model 30, it is the plain stocked marlin336. JM stamp will still apply. Mine was shredding soda cans at 50 and golf balls at 25 a few days ago. I do need better sights but can't decide between Lyman and Williams peeps.

Just keep your eyes out in gunshops, classifieds and armslist. Buy the one that feels the best and looks the best for under $400 and you wont be disappointed.

HB

Either buy an older Marlin pre-1990 or so or a Mossberg for a lever gun. Avoid the Remington produced Marlins. The quality just isn't there in the newer Marlins.

over on marlinowners reports are coming in that the brand new marlins are roughly on par with anything marlin ever produced before.

That said, I'm with arkansas paul, if you're going to scope it, get a marlin. If not, go find a winchester. The mossbergs are functional, heck, so are the rossi's, but I just don't like them as much. The feel or nostalgia, something ineffable or whatever is not there, and that's kind of the whole point of a lever gun. I mean lets face it, if you just want a hunting gun, there are better options. Get one of the new generation low end plastic fantastic bolt guns in 7mm-08 or something and it will out shoot, out pack, out function a lever gun.

greyling22 said:

over on marlinowners reports are coming in that the brand new marlins are roughly on par with anything marlin ever produced before.

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The new production is not quite there just yet, and sadly may never be. Going from 100% hand fit to an assembly cell process, you are going to give up the best levels of quality...no way around it. I looked at 6 Guide Guns, all new, before finding one that did not have a cracked/chipped stock, poor fit or canted barrel. The one I finally did find is a solid gun though...

I'm a huge fan of leverguns and I own and shoot 5 of them ranging from .22LR to 45-70.

IMO both have their place. If you like the design of the Marlin that's the one I would buy. I also heard the rumors about poor QC with the first Marlins off the Remington line but I've also heard that has all been worked out.

If your a fan of Winchester leverguns and you don't want to pay the high price FN has placed on the new ones you should get the Mossberg because that levergun was designed to be faithful to the Winchester design. Remember, Mossberg designed and released that rifle when everyone though Winchester leverguns were gone forever.

In reality, it's not which is better it's which you like better. Personally I own Marlin and Henry leverguns but no Winchester or Mossberg leverguns so you know which design I prefer.